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Eddie Hearn admits Anthony Joshua may not fight at all this year as Jake Paul fight looms for 2026

Originally posted on Bloody Knockout | By Harvey Burton | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 2:15 PM ET

Anthony Joshua’s return to the ring was delayed by an injury following his brutal loss to Daniel Dubois.

Anthony Joshua suffered his most brutal defeat to date last time out against Daniel Dubois, as Dubois is just the second man to defeat Joshua without the loss being avenged.

Joshua has been eyeing a return to the ring, with many names mentioned as potential opponents. Jared Anderson and Jarrell Miller were in the running, though Joshua may now face Tony Yoka, the 2016 Olympic gold medallist whose career was almost destroyed by Martin Bakole.

Eddie Hearn has also revealed, though, that the next opponent may be none other than Jake Paul.

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Anthony Joshua could wait until 2026 to face Jake Paul

Initially eyeing a return in December or so this year, Hearn has since revealed to Seconds Out that Joshua’s return could come even later if it is in a mega-fight with Jake Paul.

Paul called out Joshua ahead of his fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and what was ridiculed then has now become a legitimate option, as even Turki Alalshikh has stated his approval of the fight, with the hopes it sends Paul out of boxing for good.

Paul’s latest win was his best, though Chavez Jr. was still a shell of the version of himself that won a world title years ago, multiple divisions lower than the one he faced Paul in.

In the interview, Hearn was asked about AJ’s possible retirement from boxing, to which he said,

“We started with him, we’ll end with him, and the end will come soon, not too soon. He’ll fight in December, and if it’s Jake Paul, it might be January/February but we’ll have to see.”

Hearn hinted at Paul’s price to face AJ, and admitted Paul’s team were visiting London this week to talk about the possible fight.

Joshua and Logan Paul met once, and the size difference alone is an indication of how the fight will go.

Anthony Joshua was set to rematch bitter rival before rising prospect entered the scene

Ahead of Paul’s name being mentioned, Hearn admitted that Dillian Whyte was the frontrunner to face AJ next.

Whyte and AJ fought in the amateurs, with Whyte getting his hand raised, and their rivalry igniting.

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Years later, the Whyte and AJ fought for the British title in 2015, and AJ handed Whyte his first-ever loss via knockout after a lethal uppercut sent him to the canvas.

Whyte vs Joshua 2 was announced, but Whyte was forced to withdraw after failing a PED test. Whyte was again offered the AJ fight, but opted for something different instead.

Whyte will now face Moses Itauma, and many believe that is a fight ‘The Bodysnatcher’ can not win.

This article first appeared on Bloody Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

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